<div align="center"> Indiana Pacers: 13-13 Charlotte Bobcats: 7-17 Date: Wednesday, December 29th Time: 7:00 PM TV: WB4, NBALP Previous Games: Hornets @ Pacers 100-82 (WIN) Bobcats @ Wizards 106-87 (LOSS) <font color="darkslateblue"><font size="1">(Coach Rick Carlisle)</font></font> C - <font color="darkslateblue">Jeff Foster</font> (11.0 PPG, 13.0 RPG, 0.9 APG) PF - <font color="darkslateblue">Jermaine O'Neal</font> (21.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.2 APG) SF - <font color="darkslateblue">James Jones</font> (7.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 0.9 APG) SG - <font color="darkslateblue">Reggie Miller</font> (19.8 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.4 APG) PG - <font color="darkslateblue">Jamaal Tinsley</font> (15.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.6 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> <font color="orange"><font size="1">(Coach Bernie Bickerstaff)</font></font> C - <font color="orange">Primoz Brezec</font> (11.6 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.2 APG) PF - <font color="orange">Emeka Okafor</font> (15.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.1 APG) SF - <font color="orange">Gerald Wallace</font> (11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.0 APG) SG - <font color="orange">Keith Bogans</font> (11.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 2.2 APG) PG - <font color="orange">Brevin Knight</font> (8.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 9.3 APG) PACERS - <font color="darkslateblue">Austin Croshere</font> Predicted Stats: 10 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists BOBCATS - <font color="orange">Jason Kapono</font> Predicted Stats: 11 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists PACERS - <font color="darkslateblue">Reggie Miller</font> Predicted Stats: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists BOBCATS - <font color="orange">Emeka Okafor</font> Predicted Stats: 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3 blocks </div> One word for the Pacers: Emeka. This young cat is already setting records...a double-double record, in fact...and hasn't showed any signs of slowing down, even though the Bobcats are still losing games. That's alright though, because so are the Indiana Pacers, who haven't been the same since the fight in Detroit. With Jermaine O'Neal finding his way back into the lineup for the Christmas game, the Pacers are still playing for a spot in the playoffs. In their last 10 games, the Pacers have won only three...but 8 of those last 10 have been without Jermaine, Artest and Jackson. What do the fans think? I'm guessing they want their roster back. Tonight, Okafor puts his streak on the line against O'Neal, who may just have the defense to put Emeka in his place. However, Okafor has been so consistent and surprising this season, he's actually pressing towards the ROY award and some fans want this man in the All-Star game. At home, it'll be tough for Jermaine to keep him away from the rim and the defensive glass. Look for a 17th consecutive double double from Emeka...pushing farther away from the old record previously held by Shaquille O'Neal. Is Emeka showing signs of a future All-Star? Ask anyone in the league, and their answer is yes. Reggie Miller is having a great season so far. The record may not show it just yet, but it's been "Millertime" in Indiana since the loss of their three stars. Reggie has been showing signs of his prime again, playing nearly 36 minutes a game and shooting almost 49% from the field...something he hasn't done since the 1993-1994 season. His points per game has nearly doubled since last year. Translation: guard Reggie. Gerald Wallace will have a nice game as well. There's a little uncertainty as to who will start at the three for Indiana, between James Jones and Michael Curry...but what's new? Wallace won't have any trouble, but it's guys like Tinsley and Miller who may put this game in the books for the Pacers. This game should stay even until the 3rd quarter...where Reggie will get hot. I'm talking about NBA Jam: "He's on fire" hot. Okafor will come out of this with a double-double, but the loss doesn't look so good, as the Bobcats will fall to the Pacers, 101-90.
